About 25,000 residents of Alberta have been forced to flee their homes due to the “unprecedented” wildfires that have swept through the Canadian province. According to BBC, at least 103 active wildfires are currently raging, with some of them listed as out of control. The hot and dry weather has worsened the situation, leading to warnings from the wildfire unit that the province would see extreme wildfires over the weekend.
As a result, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has declared a state of emergency in the province, which will allow the government to respond to extreme situations, mobilize additional resources, and unlock emergency funds. The premier wrote on Twitter that the number of wildfires and evacuations had increased again and that the safety of Albertans was a top priority.
DW reports that over 20 communities have been evacuated, and approximately 122,000 hectares have been damaged by the wildfires. In addition, thousands more residents have been asked to abandon their homes. Approximately 8,000 residents of Edson, 7,000 of Drayton Valley, and 20 homes in Fox Lake have been asked to leave their houses immediately.
Despite the severity of the situation, no oil sands facilities have reported any danger, which is a relief for the region since Alberta is a major oil-producing area. However, Smith remarked, “I don’t know that I ever recall seeing multiple communities evacuated all at once in fire season.”
The weather in the province is expected to remain hot and dry, which means the situation may continue to worsen. With a state of emergency in place, the government is taking all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Alberta’s residents.
